EastEnders legend joins cast of Emmerdale as ‘dark and villainous' new character
AN EastEnders legend has joined Emmerdale as a 'dark and villainous' new character.
The ITV soap has snapped up Joe Absolom, whose past work includes
Advertisement
5
Joe Absolom is joining Emmerdale as a 'dark and villainous' character
Credit: ITV
5
The actor played Matthew Rose in EastEnders for three years
Credit: BBC
5
Joe said he is "grateful" to be part of Emmerdale
Credit: Rex
Joe, 46, is joining Emmerdale this
summer
, playing the role of newcomer Ray,.
Introduced as old acquaintance of Mackenzie's (Laurence Robb), Ray arrives at the farm claiming to be selling farm machinery.
But it's not long before the character's true, drug dealing ways come to light.
While he possesses a calm and collected exterior, it's clear a menacing strike hides just below the surface.
Advertisement
Read more on Emmerdale
Discussing his new role, Joe said: 'Well what an honour to join such a talented team at
Emmerdale
!
"It's an iconic show and I'm grateful to be part of it."
He added: "I can't wait to see what's in stock for Ray!'
Emmerdale
producer Laura Shaw says: 'We are thrilled to welcome Joe Absolom to the cast.
Advertisement
Most read in Soaps
Exclusive
Exclusive
"It's fantastic to have such a high calibre and immensely talented actor join our wonderful team to play the role of Ray.
"Charming, charismatic and effortlessly likeable, Ray is an extremely complex character who very quickly shows his dark and villainous side to some of our most loved villagers, leaving them in no doubt as to what he's capable of."
A Confession episode three sees EastEnders star Joe Absolom reveal true extent of evil killer Christopher Halliwell
Joe played the
EastEnders
from 1997 to 2000.
In the character's most prominent storyline, Matthew was framed for murder and wrongfully imprisoned.
Advertisement
Joe is also well-known as Al Large in Doc Martin and Andy Warren in The Bay.
He recently starred in
ITV
crime
drama Code of Silence, featuring
Emmerdale airs 7.30pm, weeknights on ITV1 and STV or from 7.00am on
ITVX
and STV Player.
5
He recently popped up in ITV crime drama Code of Silence
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Advertisement
5
Joe formerly played Al Large in Doc Martin
Credit: Handout
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Love Island sign up hunky lad from north London after body transformation days before summer series launch
CHEEKY chappy Tommy Bradley is lined up for this year's Love Island after undergoing a body overhaul ready for the villa. The lad from north London is romance-ready after packing on muscle over the last year to prep for the ITV2 dating show. 7 North Londoner Tommy Bradley has been signed up for Love Island, we can reveal Credit: instagram/_tommybradley_/ 7 Tommy 'ticks all the boxes' for Love Island claims a source - who brands him a 'cheeky chap' Credit: instagram/_tommybradley_/ 7 Maya Jama will be back as ITV2 host Credit: ITV 7 He has been hitting the gym ahead of his ITV2 show stint Credit: Tommy's documented his routine on his Instagram page, which is filled with videos from his gym sessions. And he looks to have been helped along by his boxer brother, Jamie Bradley, who also features on the page. Tommy's set for the opening line-up of A source said: 'Tommy seems to tick all the Love Island boxes as the cheeky chappy of this summer's series. read more love island 'He looks to enjoy a night out with the lads and out on the boxing scene with his brother. 'But he's also packed on serious muscle over the last year ready for telly's famous villa and is no longer just a personality hire. 'Execs are finalising who will be in the OG line-up and who will be a bombshell.' Love Island and ITV has yet to announce any of the cast, but decisions will be made soon about which guys and girls make the opening line-up with the series just days from launch. Most read in Love Island Tommy will be able to enjoy garden workouts with hunky 6'5' Aaron Buckett, who was the Stunning Katie Price drops huge hint daughter Princess Andre is in talks for Love Island after boyfriend split We also reported how stunning She runs 12 aesthetics clinics with a famous clientele that includes former Love Islanders Lucinda Strafford and Jessy Potts. Recently, The Sun revealed . The snaps revealed the new look fire pit in all its glory but there was no sign of a roof terrace, suggesting the iconic seating area may have been ditched. Love Island winners - where they are now EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more. Here we take you through all of the 2025 - The second series of All Stars saw STATUS: Still together. 2024 - The summer Love Island saw and Josh Oyinsan were STATUS: Broken up. 2024 - The first ever All stars spin off show was STATUS: Still together. 2023 - STATUS: Broken up. 2023 - The first series of 2023 saw STATUS: Still together. 2022 - STATUS: Broken up. 2021 - STATUS: Still together. 2020 - The first ever winter Love Island saw STATUS: Broken up. 2019 - Series 5 saw STATUS: Broken up. 2018 - It wasn't surprising fan favourites STATUS: Broken up. 2017 - STATUS: Broken up. 2016 - Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde were together from the start of the series, and since they won the show they've had two kids and are married. STATUS: Still together. 2015 - Despite poor STATUS: Broken up. They'll be joining Love Island at a great time as the show's 12 series have now been streamed 2 BILLION times on ITVX. And you can catch up on the years gone by when special Decade of Love airs tonight at 9pm on ITV2 & ITVX 7 He has packed on the muscle of late Credit: instagram/_tommybradley_/ 7 The Sun revealed a huge change to the villa this time around Credit: ITV 7 He also enjoys nights out with the lads Credit:
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Blearly-eyed EastEnders and Corrie stars scoff burgers and puff on cigarettes as they leave boozy British Soap Awards
THE British Soap Awards turned into a wild night as bleary-eyed EastEnders and Corrie favourites were snapped scoffing burgers, puffing on cigarettes, and knocking back drinks in the street. Jaime Winstone, Patsy Palmer and Tina O'Brien were among those snapped heading home in the early hours. 6 Corrie and Dancing On ice star Mollie Gallagher scoffed on a greasy burger after the boozy British Soap Awards Credit: James Curley 6 Jamie Winstone and Patsy Palmer leave the Hackney Empire Credit: James Curley 6 Tina O'Brien made an exit in the early hours Credit: SMART PICTURES 6 Bleary eyed Scott Malsen spotted outside the venue last night with a bottle of beer and a cigarette Credit: James Curley The glamorous Corrie's Mollie Gallagher seen chomping on a greasy burger. Some weren't ready to call it a night, as they continued al fresco on the pavement laughing and chatting amid the chaos. Corrie's READ MORE ON SOAP AWARDS A-listers in glittering gowns and sharp suits were also spotted puffing away on cigarettes, with some looking a bit worse for wear as they chatted with pals outside. Jaime was seen in a powder-blue mini-dress lighting up, while others nursed bottles of beer or sipped cocktails. Elsewhere, dapper Scott Malsen, in orange trousers and a grey blazer smoked and drank outside, not worrying about a post-party hangover. 6 Julie Hesmondhalgh sank a pink of Guinness Credit: James Curley 6 James Farrar punched the air after EastEnders won a huge haul of gongs at the awards Credit: James Curley
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
In Pictures: The British Soap Awards 2025
Take a look at the stars at The British Soap Awards 2025 which took place in London on Saturday night and saw EastEnders dominate after taking home eight prizes including Best British Soap.
